Jack Wilshere Contract: Latest News and Rumours on Arsenal Negotiations

Arsenal's hierarchy is reported to be contemplating a new long-term contract offer for Jack Wilshere that will see him remain at the Emirates Stadium until 2020.

Steve Stammers of the Mirror wrote that talks with the player are set to commence in January with a view to agreeing the new five-and-a-half-year deal:

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It will tie the England star to Arsenal until 2020 and put him among the club’s top earners with wages of around £150,000 a week. There will be significant bonuses in the deal which could bolster his salary even further.

Wilshere, who will be 23 in January. is seen as a future captain of the club. He has shown what he can achieve now that he is free of the injuries that have blighted him in recent seasons.

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Stevenage-born Wilshere—whose current deal expires in 2018—joined the Gunners' academy in 2001 and stands as one of the club's most recent homegrown successes, but faith in his ability has been tested over recent years.

The 22-year-old burst onto the Premier League scene six years ago and rose to Arsenal prominence after spending the second half of the 2009-10 season on loan at Bolton Wanderers.

A struggle to maintain fitness has proven to be Wilshere's biggest concern over the years, with recurring ankle injuries ruling him out of the entire 2011-12 campaign.

Wilshere suffered another injury in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United. James Olley of the London Evening Standard quoted Wenger stating there's no news on the extent of that setback just yet:

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Wenger says Szczesny's injury "isn't bad" and Wilshere has an ankle problem: "Honestly, I don't know how bad it is."

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) November 22, 2014

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At 32 years of age, club captain Mikel Arteta may well begin counting down his days in north London, giving Arsenal more reason to secure the futures of other assets in that area of the pitch.

Arsenal have been lusting after an elite class of holding midfielder. Following 3-1 wins over Slovenia and Scotland, Wilshere recently opened up to reveal his intentions of playing that role for Arsenal—as he does for England—were dashed by Wenger, per the Telegraph's Matt Law:

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Yes, but the formation we play at Arsenal is a bit different. I wouldn’t mind playing it at Arsenal and I’ve already spoken to the manager about it, and he doesn’t see me playing that role just yet.

I enjoy my role for Arsenal as well because I can get a bit further forward, but I wouldn’t mind to play the holding role for Arsenal. That’s the manager’s decision. At the moment, I think Arteta is injured and Flamini is playing that role. It’s down to him. If he wants me to play there, I’ll play it.

I’ve said before, after the first game in Switzerland, that I’d only get better and better. It was my first game ever playing in that role. The main thing is the coaches are getting their points across in terms of what they want me to do, not just over here but when we’re away from here. We’re working on it, because I don’t play that role for my club, but I am really enjoying it.

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In Aaron Ramsey, the club has another young playmaker who may go on to stay at the club for years to come, and Wenger is clearly a fan of the British pairing.

As Stammers stated, Wilshere's career hasn't come without its controversies off the field, the latest of which came after images surfaced of the player smoking in Las Vegas this past summer.

However, he added that Wenger "believes Wilshere has matured on and off the pitch," which would serve to dissuade fears that similar troubles could affect his progress in future.

There are reasons to question such a hefty investment in Wilshere's ability, though. Considering his absences and the fact that foreign players would struggle to net £150,000-a-week at Arsenal, is he worth such high figures?

Squawka's Match of the Dave suggested not, and the debate is there to say those funds would be better spent on a new face to help strengthen the central ranks:

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An image to sum up Jack Wilshere's career thus far. pic.twitter.com/asW882M08z

— Match of the Dave (@MatchoftheDave) November 22, 2014

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Wenger has courted criticism in the past for not promoting enough English players at Arsenal, but Wilshere now sits among a burgeoning contingent of players both developed at the club and acquired through the market.

The England international will look to cement his spot as a respected member of the squad alongside compatriots Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

As ever, Arsenal would appear to have a long-term plan in mind for their young leader, who despite his troubles, looks likely to continue his progress as a valued piece of the Gunners' make-up.

As long as injury can be staved off, it seems the club are willing to hand him every chance to realise his potential, with a new bumper deal merely the latest sign of belief they hold in his ability.